"Pirikaneppu Forest," which We Provided Technical Support for, has been Certified as a "Nature Coexistence Site" by the Ministry of the Environment
"Pirikaneppu Forest" (hereinafter referred to as "this site"), managed by the Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan, with technical support from PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer: Osamu OMOTO), has been certified as a "Nature Coexistence Site" under the Act on Promotion of Biodiversity in Local Areas. .
In providing consulting services related to nature positivity for this certification, we conducted the necessary surveys for the nature coexistence site application, assisted in preparing the application documents, and provided support for the review committee, handling the entire process until certification was granted.
Our company has a proven track record in supporting national green infrastructure and biodiversity policies, as well as implementing environmental conservation measures through environmental assessments. As experts in the fields of biodiversity and natural capital, we will continue to provide solutions aimed at effectively utilizing untapped natural capital assets held by companies, solving regional issues, and simultaneously achieving carbon neutrality and nature-positive implementation.
■ About "Nature Coexistence Site" based on the Act on Promotion of Biodiversity in Local Areas
Since fiscal year 2023, the Ministry of the Environment has been designating areas where biodiversity conservation is being achieved through private sector initiatives as "Nature Coexistence Site." Subsequently, in April 2025, the Act on Promotion of Biodiversity in Local Areas was enacted, formalizing the system into the act. As a result, if a plan for biodiversity maintenance, restoration, and creation initiatives implemented primarily by companies, NPOs, local governments, and community organizations is certified by the national government, the area where the initiative is implemented will be designated as a "Nature Coexistence Site."
"Nature Coexistence Site" is an important mechanism for achieving "Nature Positivity" (stopping and reversing biodiversity loss) and the "30 by 30 goals" (the goal of effectively conserving more than 30% of land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030).
■ Overview of "Pirikaneppu Forest"
This site is a private forest owned by Keisuke SAITO, representative of the Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan, located in Akan-cho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido. In addition to maintaining the mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest, mainly composed of fir and spruce, which is representative of Akan-Mashu National Park, the site aims to improve its quality as a habitat for rare plants and animals representative of the region by promoting the conversion of artificial forests into mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests. Within this site, a diverse ecosystem exists in continuity with the surrounding pristine mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest, and our summer survey in 2019 confirmed 68 species of plants from 40 families. As for animals, common species such as the Ezo deer and Ezo squirrel (mammals) and the Ezo red frog (amphibian) have been confirmed, as well as the rare black woodpecker (bird). This initiative to provide habitat and breeding ground services for such diverse plants and animals has been recognized, and the site has been certified as a "maintenance type" project, which targets activities that maintain areas that are already rich in biodiversity.
Pirikaneppu Forest (the forest on the left side of the river)
Forest floor of Yezo spruce - Sakhalin fir
Ezo-oosakurasou (Primula japonica var. japonica)
Black woodpecker feeding traces
■ Participated in the awarding ceremony for the "Pirikaneppu Forest" Nature Coexistence Site Certificate.
As the first project of its kind in Kushiro City, a certificate awarding ceremony was held on April 28, 2026, hosted by the Kushiro Natural Environment Office. Hiroyuki YAMADA, Senior Advisor of the Hokkaido Social Innovation Dept. from our company participated along with representatives from the Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan, the Mayor of Kushiro, and the Deputy Director of the Hokkaido Kushiro General Promotion Bureau.
Awarding the certificate (from left: Mr. SAITO, representative of the Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan; Mr. OKANO, director of the Kushiro Natural Environment Office)
[Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan] News Release: Report on the certification of our nature-friendly site.
[Ministry of the Environment] Press release: Regarding the certification of "Nature Coexistence Sites" under the Act on Promotion of Biodiversity in Local Areas (3rd round in FY2025)
[Ministry of the Environment] Website: 30by30 "Nature Coexistence Site"